Summer movie preview

By Angelica M. Casas

Published 10:29 am, Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The return of two superheroes, a fight for religious freedom and the nut-collecting obsession of a saber-toothed squirrel are on the menu for young and old at this summer's box office. Andy Garcia and Eva Longoria lead a Latino-heavy cast in the historical drama “For Greater Glory,” which chronicles Mexico's Cristero War of the late 1920s. Nestor Carbonell, of the recently canceled drama “The Ringer,” has two appearances on the big screen this summer. His return as Gotham City mayor in “The Dark Knight Rises” follows his role as Mayor Picazo in “For Greater Glory.” Comedian-turned-actor Gabriel Iglesias and Adam Rodríguez (“CSI: Miami”) join Channing Tatum (“21 Jump Street”) in “Magic Mike,” loosely based on Tatum's entertainment breakthrough. Jennifer Lopez, whose return to “American Idol” next season is still uncertain, voices Shira in “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” also featuring John Leguizamo returning to give life to Scrat. We take a look at some of your summer film choices, including what part Latino stars play.

“For Greater Glory”

Latinos to watch: Andy Garcia and “Desperate Housewives” alum Eva Longoria lead a cast that also includes Catalina Sandino Moreno and Eduardo Verastegui in a depiction of the fight against religious persecution that raged in Mexico throughout the Cristero War of 1926 to 1929.

Latinos to watch: Comedian Gabriel Iglesias plays a DJ at a strip joint that houses “Magic Mike,” a stripper played by Channing Tatum. Adam Rodríguez (right, “CSI: Miami”) also stars in the film that is based on Tatum's experience to make a name for himself when he was 19.

In theaters: June 29

For more: facebook.com/MagicMikeMovie

“The Amazing Spider-Man”

Latino to watch: Martin Sheen is Uncle Ben in the latest rendition of Spider-Man that presents an untold side of Peter Parker. While unraveling his father's past, Parker (Andrew Garfield) faces the decision of using his powers to become a hero as he goes up against his father's former partner, Dr. Curt Connors, whose Lizard alter ego collides with Spider-Man.

In theaters: July 3

For more: TheAmazingSpiderMan.com

“Ice Age: Continental Drift”

Latinos to watch: Colombian-born actor John Leguizamo once again gives life to Sid in the fourth film of the “Ice Age” series that continues Scrat's nutty journey to find his acorn. Jennifer Lopez introduces Shira, a saber-toothed tiger who joins the caravan.

In theaters: July 13

For more: IceAgeMovie.com

“The Dark Knight Rises”

Latino to watch: Nestor Carbonell returns as mayor of Gotham City in the highly anticipated action-packed conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. Oscar winner Christian Bale also reprises his role as Bruce Wayne in the film that takes place eight years after the events of “The Dark Knight” (2008).